Threaded fastener shaft having a deformable threaded portion

Abstract

A fastening mechanism including a shaft, wherein the shaft is effectively threaded; the shaft includes a threaded non-deformable material interspersed with at least one portion of a threaded deformable material.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A fastening mechanism, comprising: a shaft, wherein the shaft is effectively threaded; and
 the shaft includes a thread of a non-deformable material interspersed with a thread of a deformable material; and 
 wherein at least one external dimension of the deformable thread is greater than that of the non-deformable thread and the threads of non-deformable material and deformable material are continuous to encircle the shaft along at least part of its length. 
 
     
     
       2. The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a thread pattern of the deformable material is configured to substantially match a thread pattern of the non-deformable material. 
     
     
       3. The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1  , wherein the threads are formed in groups of non-deformable and deformable material. 
     
     
       4. The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one external dimension of the deformable thread is greater than that of an adjacent non-deformable thread. 
     
     
       5. The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is the exterior surface of a bolt. 
     
     
       6. The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the shall also includes a head. 
     
     
       7. The fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shaft is the interior surface of a nut. 
     
     
       8. A method of fastening comprising: using a fastening mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       9. A kitset comprising:
 a fastening mechanism, comprising: a shaft, wherein the shall is effectively threaded; and 
 the shaft includes a thread of a non-deformable material interspersed with a thread of a deformable material; and 
 wherein at least one external dimension of the deformable thread is greater than that of the non-deformable thread and the threads of non-deformable material and deformable material are continuous to encircle the shaft along at least part of its length, and 
 wherein said shaft is provided in one of a bolt and a nut; and 
 a complementary fastening mechanism including a nut when said shaft is provided in a bolt, and a bolt when said shaft is provided in a nut. 
 
     
     
       10. A method of manufacturing a fastening mechanism including a shaft, wherein the shaft is effectively threaded; and the shaft includes a thread of a non-deformable material interspersed with a thread of a deformable material; and wherein at least one external dimension of the deformable thread is greater than that of the non-deformable thread and the threads of non-deformable material and deformable material are continuous to encircle the shaft along at least part of its length the method comprising:
 a) manufacturing a threaded shaft from a non-deformable material with at least one gap configured to receive a deformable material; 
 b) manufacturing a threaded deformable material configured to fit into the at least one gap in the non-deformable, material; and 
 c) fitting the deformable material into the at least one gap in the non-deformable material such that an integral shaft is formed from the non-deformable and deformable materials.